he is asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he is asking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is inquiring about something. For example: He is asking if his friend can join him for lunch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Always he is asking.

The New York Times

"He is asking for curse".

The New Yorker

He is asking $65 million for each.

The New York Times

"He is asking for it," I whisper.

The New Yorker

He is asking $9.5 million.

The New York Times - Arts

This year he is asking $138‐million.

The New York Times

He is asking $24,000 for it.

The New York Times - Arts

He is asking soldiers to join him".

The New York Times

And he is asking the right questions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not that he is asking for sympathy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But he is asking for a complete and impartial accounting.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is asking" when you want to clearly state that someone is making an inquiry or request. It is suitable for various contexts, from formal reports to casual conversations.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who "he" refers to, especially in longer passages. If there's any possibility of confusion, rephrase to specify the person by name or title.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is asking" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, specifically using the present continuous tense. This indicates an ongoing action of inquiring or requesting. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is asking" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone is in the process of making an inquiry or request. Ludwig confirms its general correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted for more formal or informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "he" refers to, and consider alternative phrasing like "he is inquiring" or "he is requesting" to better suit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he inquires

A more formal and concise way of saying "he is asking".

he's inquiring

Uses a more formal synonym for "asking", implying a deeper level of investigation or curiosity.

he's questioning

Emphasizes the act of posing questions, often implying doubt or scrutiny.

he is querying

Uses a slightly more technical or formal term for asking.

he's requesting

Suggests a formal request or demand for something.

he's wondering

Implies a state of curiosity or contemplation, often without a direct question being posed.

he poses the question

Highlights the act of introducing a question, often in a formal setting.

he's prompting

Suggests he is encouraging someone to respond or provide information.

he's soliciting

Indicates he is actively seeking something, such as advice or opinions.

he's appealing

Implies he is making a plea or urgent request.

FAQs

How to use "he is asking" in a sentence?

Use "he is asking" to indicate that someone is making an inquiry or a request. For example, "He is asking about the project deadline" or "He is asking for your opinion on the matter".

What can I say instead of "he is asking"?

You can use alternatives like "he is inquiring", "he is questioning", or "he is requesting" depending on the specific context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he's asking" instead of "he is asking"?

Yes, "he's asking" is a contraction of "he is asking" and is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, especially in informal writing or speech. It carries the same meaning as "he is asking".

What's the difference between "he is asking" and "he asks"?

"He is asking" implies a continuous or ongoing action, while "he asks" typically refers to a single, specific instance of asking. For example, "He is asking questions about the new policy" suggests a series of questions, whereas "He asks a question about the new policy" implies a single query.